Last week our challenge to fourth grade was to not say bad words.  Over lunch, I had a lengthy conversation with them about bad language, and what they should do when a movie they are watching has bad language.

Then, while tutoring our second grade class, I was able to talk to them about forgiveness.  I shared a personal story about forgiveness with them, and one of the girls told me about how she has to forgive a particular person almost every day.  Two of them told me how their parents don’t forgive each other, and they fight all the time.  I hurt for these kids; one told me that it makes her stomach hurt when her parents quarrel.

Sometimes, it feels like what I do isn’t enough.  But the Lord is showing me that just being there for the child when he or she wants to talk and share is huge!  If they feel comfortable telling me about their struggles at home, then I am able to show them that I love them and care about what they go through–indirectly, they are seeing God’s love!

~Julia D.